156: Kill List
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Episode Description
The dark web is full of mystery. Some of it’s just made up though. Chris Monteiro wanted to see what was real and fake and discovered a hitman for hire site which took him on an unbelievable journey.
Chris Monteiro Twitter: x.com/Deku_shrub, Website: https://pirate.london/
Carl Miller Twitter: https://x.com/carljackmiller.
Kill List podcast: https://wondery.com/shows/kill-list/
Sponsors
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AI-Generated Summary
Life in the Dark Web: Inside Chris Monteiro's Journey
In this episode, Chris Monteiro recounts his experiences exploring the dark web. It all began with a hitman-for-hire website that surprisingly turned out to be a scam, but the investigation led Chris to uncover deeper and darker aspects of cybercrime and threats to real-life individuals. The episode reveals how Chris started as a researcher and became more deeply involved in the online world of crime and scams, prompting him to self-educate on the nuances of internet fraud and dark web dealings.
Investigating a Dark Web Murder-for-Hire Scheme
As Chris delved further into the hitman-for-hire scams, he documented his findings, which led to harassment from website administrators attempting to intimidate him into silence. He chronicled the conversations and insights gained from these interactions, shedding light on how these scams prey on vulnerable individuals. Chris’s persistent investigative efforts led him to discover chilling messages that detailed real threats against people's lives.
Raising the Alarm: The Intersection of Journalism and Cybersecurity
With the gravity of the threats he uncovered, Chris sought help from journalists, particularly Carl Miller, to address the potential dangers posed to individuals on the kill list. Together, they grappled with ethical dilemmas—balancing the urgency of protecting potential victims with the standard journalistic obligation to report news without getting involved. Their partnership marks a significant point in their investigation, highlighting how the lines blur between journalism and active intervention.
Tragic Ends: Real Consequences of Dark Web Transactions
As the episode unfolds, it details the tragic cases arising from the hitman scheme, including the story of Amy Allwine, who was murdered by her husband after he attempted to solicit her assassination through the dark web. This revelation underscores the real-world consequences of the online dealings and the critical role of law enforcement in addressing these preventable tragedies. Chris and Carl’s efforts to communicate and share their findings with authorities illustrate the complexity of investigating and reacting to cybercrime.
Evolving Investigative Strategies: The Kill List Podcast
The episode concludes with Chris and Carl's ongoing project, the Kill List podcast. This initiative aims to continue documenting threats and raising awareness about online scams and the dark web. Their collaborative effort seeks to engage listeners with this urgent topic while fostering discussions about the nature of crime in the digital age and the potential for proactive intervention in protecting individuals from harm.
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